Question About Back Sleeping

[JohnHornbuckle]

Hello,

I have never in my life been able to sleep on my back even when I was very skinny or as a kid. I would always stop breathing and jolt up just before falling asleep or I would roll over on to my side just before falling asleep. I thought with CPAP I would be able to sleep on my back, but 9 months in to treatment I still have those issues. I sleep wonderfully on my side with my F20 and AHI is near 0 every night, but still can't do the back. Does anyone else have this issue? Is it even sleep apnea if its technically happening before I actually fall asleep? I have my starting pressure set to 9, and it rarely goes over 13 throughout the night. I always worry about this if I were to ever need to stay in the hospital or have surgery for something.

[Crimson Nape]

I, too, experience this.  A person's anatomy structure plays a big part in breathing while on your back.  As we sleep, muscles relax and gravity takes over.  When you have this type of obstructed airway, there isn't enough air pressure available to overcome it. You can reduce it to some degree by elevating your upper body. This will direct the gravity diagonally to the airway and not perpendicular, thus reducing its effects.

- Red

[upsman]

I sleep almost entirely on my back every night. I know left-side sleeping is the most recommended position for anatomical reasons, but I have issues with my shoulder and knee if I try and stay there for any length of time.

I suppose my pressure settings are tuned perfectly because my average AHI is about .8 or less...even with 98% supine sleeping. I do have an adjustable bed, so that may play into it too. The key thing is comfort and eliminating arousals. If you are more comfortable on your back, try and tweak your pressure or slightly elevate your torso. 

I read an article saying that supine sleeping was better for your body anyway. It claims that your weight is more evenly distributed and puts less pressure on your organs...especially your lungs. So, the bottom line is whatever position is most comfortable.